Afropop Worldwide

In this episode, we make our annual trek to Miami to record the Afro Roots Festival. To celebrate Afro Roots' 25th anniversary, Mali's Amadou & Mariam headlined. Amadou & Mariam met at the Institute for the Young Blind in Mali, got married and began performing together in 1980. They have toured the globe and have become some of Mali's and Africa's best known and best loved representatives. They have lived a charmed life in terms of their collaborations with some global pop heavies--Damon Albarn of Blur, Manu Chao, Santigold, TV On The Radio, and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Amadou & Mariam have also played some of the world's best known festivals, from Coachella to Glastonbury. They have opened for huge bands such as Coldplay and U2. Opening up for Amadou & Mariam at Afro Roots is one of Miami's leading Latin bands--Cortadito--playing a traditional form of Cuban country music that goes back to the late 1800's. Also in this episode, to celebrate Afro Roots at 25, you'll hear some of our favorite festival performances we've presented over the years including Noura Mint Seymali of Mauritania and Dayme Arocena from Cuba. Produced by Sean Barlow.

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